A LOCAL charity is £5,900 better off after a donation from the staff of Smedley Hydro.

The Lancelots is a local children’s diabetic charity which gives education and support through fun activities for children in the Southport, Formby and Ormskirk areas.

The money was raised over the whole of 2007 and coordinated by Lorraine Evans, who was charity officer for the year. The Smedley Hydro has been raising funds every year for 20 years and donates to a different local good cause every January.

Lorraine told the Visiter: “I would like to thank all the Smedley Hydro staff for all their generosity. Everyone put a lot of effort in for the cause.”

Some of the events that took place over the year were a sponsored walk, carol singing, quizzes and Easter and Christmas raffles. Individual sponsored events by staff were also undertaken.

Lorraine chose The Lancelots as she is a volunteer and acts as treasurer for the club. All the volunteers have children with diabetes and offer their time for free.

Her own son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of four and is now 15.

Type 1 diabetes is the least common with 5-15 per cent of diabetics suffering from it, type1 is when the body produces no insulin.

Type 2 sufferers produce a small amount and accounts for 85-95 per cent

The group, formally known as Southport, Formby and Ormskirk Children’s Diabetic Club, changed its name when a parent suggested that his child was getting “lanced-a-lot”, the name has stuck.

The money goes to causes helping children understand the disease, helping their confidence and making them independent in personal treatment.

Workshops are also arranged involving children and their parents dealing with the situation when first diagnosed.

Anybody who would like to donate, or help, The Lancelots in any way can contact Lorraine Evans on 01704 567161